Community Foundation of Jackson County Awards $78,131 in Grants

Contact: Mary Jo Gothard
Phone: 563.588.2700
E-mail: maryjo@dbqfoundation.org

For Immediate Release

The Community Foundation of Jackson County (CFJC) awarded $78,131 in grants to 23 nonprofits throughout the county during its annual appreciation event on Nov. 15. Executive Director Mary Jo Gothard also announced that the Foundation’s scholarship program awarded $134,000 to area students, and the endowment funds held in Jackson County paid out over $289,100 for the year. The Foundation has invested over $500,000 into Jackson County communities throughout 2018.

“All of these acts of ‘greater good’ make a huge impact in our Jackson County communities,” said Gothard.

Patty Schmidt, a principal from Easton Valley Schools, and Rachel Williams, youth impact coordinator for the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, highlighted the successful Jackson County Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (GLR). The campaign is now in its third year, with support provided by Dave and Penny North through the North Family Foundation. “Every single school district in this county thanks you for what you have done and what you’ve helped our students do,” said Schmidt.

Each principal in Jackson County has been recognized nationally by the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. “I’ve never been a part of a program with such overwhelmingly successful feedback,” said Williams. Of the students who attended the 2017 Summer Adventure program, hosted by Jackson County GLR with help from community partners, 72 percent maintained or improved their reading proficiency — reducing the effects of summer learning loss. Williams also introduced Joanne Evans, the new GLR coordinator in Jackson County.

CFJC recognizes the needs of the many individuals in the county who are hungry. The Foundation supports all the food banks and pantries in the county, as well as in Lost Nation, as part of its annual giving. This year, CFJC awarded a total of $10,000 to Bellevue Bread Basket, Bernard Food Pantry, Calvary Lutheran Church (Sabula), Lost Nation Food Center, Maquoketa Community Cupboard and Preston Manna Center. In addition, CFJC granted $3,000 to the Cardinal Backpack Club to help feed elementary students who face hunger over the weekend. A grant for $5,000 was also given to St. Stephen’s Food Bank for its weekend backpack program in Bellevue and Andrew schools.

“I’ve done a little community service, but I had no idea of all the people and organizations the Foundation touches,” said Ron Schaefer, who accepted a check on behalf of the Maquoketa Community Cupboard. “I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Additional recipients of CFJC’s fall cycle grants are:

Bellevue Arts Council - $1,000

Mill Valley Care Center oil painting class

Bellevue BIG - $800

Aquaponics

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque - $5,000

Heartland East Apartments (Maquoketa) tenant fund

City of Preston - $3,000

Westside Park walking path project

Preston/Miles Community Ambulance Service - $5,000

Purchase of LUCAS 2 CPR compression device

Jackson County Economic Alliance - $3,000

Training

Jackson County Humane Society - $1,000

Repair water damage

Krabbenhoft Public Library (Sabula) - $4,000

Roof replacement project

Maquoketa Area Piano Teachers - $705

Maquoketa Area Piano Festival

Maquoketa FFA Alumni - $5,000

Maquoketa Agricultural Learning Center

Ohnward Fine Arts Center - $3,300

I Can't Hear You!

Quilts of Valor, Bellevue - $400

Quilts of Valor

Women's Health Services of Eastern IA, Inc. - $426

Health, wellness and disease prevention education in schools    

Together We Build: Jackson County Fair & Extension Outreach Center - $25,000

Year 2 of 4 commitment           

Philanthropy Board in Jackson County Fund - $2,500

PBnJ's 2018 grantmaking